The Hamilton Spectator dominated the 2017 Ontario Newspaper Awards on Saturday night, claiming 12 of the night’s 34 awards, including the prestigious Journalist of the Year and Photojournalist of the Year awards.

The London Free Press and the Windsor Star each picked up five awards.

The Niagara Falls Review, Sudbury Star and Woodstock Sentinel Review each picked up two awards, while the Barrie Examiner, Belleville Intelligencer, Brampton Expositor, Guelph Mercury, Owen Sound Sun Times and St. Catharines Standard each claimed one award.

“Fake news is pervasive and dangerous, and for this reason quality journalism matters more than ever,” says ONA Chair Howard Elliott.

“Consumers of news can rely on and trust what they read in Ontario newspapers. There is nothing alternative about the facts gathered by the professional journalists who work for these organizations. They are committed to uncovering truths, and in this way Ontario’s journalists are supporting democracy. For this tremendous contribution, we offer our thanks through the Ontario Newspaper Awards.”

The 63rd-annual awards were presented Saturday night at a gala event at the Sheraton Hotel in Hamilton attended by about 250 journalists, editors, photographers, publishers and sponsors.

Open to 32 daily newspapers across the province, the Ontario Newspaper Awards are supported by a number of sponsors including the Council of Ontario Universities, the Ontario College of Trades, the Ontario Real Estate Association, McMaster University, Magestic Wine Cellars Inc., PostMedia, Labatt Breweries of Canada and Torstar Corporation.

The Hamilton Spectator dominated the 2017 Ontario Newspaper Awards on Saturday night, claiming 12 of the night’s 34 awards, including the prestigious Journalist of the Year and Photojournalist of the Year awards.